Flexing machine



Sept. 28, 19371 E'. L. FlcKTT FLEXING MACHINE Filed April 2, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 28, 1937.

FLEXING MACHINE Filjed April 2, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I7? 06 27 5271 ZMJW E. FlCKETT FLEXING MACHINE Sept Filed April 2, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 E. L. FlCKETT FLEXING MACHINE Sept. 28, 1937.

Filed April 2, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 WWW MM M Patented Sept. 28, 1937 site site asst";

FLEXENG MACHINE Ernest L. Fickett, Fitchburg, Mass, assignor, by mesne assignments, to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson, N. 5., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 2, 1936, Serial No. 72,407

13 Claims.

This invention relates to flexing machines of the type in which the stiiiness of work-pieces such as unattached leather soles is reduced, not by cutting, slashing or scoring, but by bending them to loosen their fibres.

One known type of machines for such a purpose comprises cooperative driven rolls between which the soles pass and by which they are bent first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, but to insure their passage through a machine of that type the rolls must pinch the soles with suihcient pressure to overcome the resistance to their progress due to their stiffness. If the rolls are shod with friction material such as rubber this soon wears away, whereas, if allmetal rolls are used those that engage the grain sides of the soles must be smooth to avoid marking the work-pieces. Moreover, the pressure with which they must operate to feed the soles compacts the fibres, and thus, in some degree, counteracts the very purpose in view.

In another known type of machines organized to avoid such pressure and its condensing or compacting effect two cooperative endless conveyor belts are arranged to run on two complemental sets of rolls and to engage the opposite faces of the soles. However, these belts soon wear out and require disassembling the machines to install new ones.

In view of the conditions and difficulties above set forth, an object of the invention is to provide an improved flexing organization by which workpieces such as unattached leather soles may be flexed more satisfactorily than heretofore.

To this end, the invention, as exemplified in the accompanying drawings, is embodied in a machine comprising co-operative flexing members that act against opposite faces of a sole to crook it, mechanism by which the flexing members are shifted periodically to and from their operative positions, means for gripping one end of a sole, and mechanism by which the gripping means are carried in av path intersecting the operating locality of the flexing members. The flexing members do not, of course, operate on the gripped portion of a sole, but only on the trailing portions, for example, the shank portion and the forepart.

Moreover, as illustrated, the invention is capable of embodiment in an organization comprising a series of work-gripping units arranged to travel one behind another along an endless path or circuit, and a series of groups of flexing members located at successive stations and arranged tooperate without interruption of the travel of the gripping units.

Preferably, and as shown, the flexing members of each group are so organized and arranged as to be capable of being adjusted to set up various angles of deflection of the work-pieces without pinching them at any stage. Consequently, the .5 angle of deflection at each successive stage may be greater than that of the stage before it, to loosen the fibres by easy stages and thereby avoid cracking or checking the grain surfaces of soles, and also to avoid loading the gripping units in excess of their holding power.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a right-side elevation of a flexing machine embodying the invention in a form that includes a circular series of groups of flexing members and rotary means by which the Workpieces may be drawn endwise past the successive stations at which the flexing members operate;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation indicated by line II--II of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are a radial elevation and an axial elevation of one of a series of work-gripping units;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation indicated by line VV of Fig. 2, omitting the work-carrying mechanism but including all the groups of the flexing members and their operating mechanisms;

Fig. 6 is an elevation like Fig. 1 of a portion of the machine including the flexing members at the second flexing station in operation; and

Fig. '7 is a sectional elevation of the flexing members included in Fig. 6 and their operating mechanism, the character of the view being similar tothat of Fig. 5, but the positions of the parts corresponding to the positions represented in Fig. 6.

The organization embodied in. the illustrated machine comprises a circular series of gripping units each including a pair of jaws l0 and H. 40 These units are mounted on a rotary carrier l2 by which they are carried successively past a circular series of groups of flexing members arranged to operate at successive stations in. the path of the gripping jaws. In the illustrated development of the invention, four pairs of gripping jaws are arranged to follow one another in an endless circular path to draw the work-pieces through six groups of flexing members. However, in its broadest aspect the invention is not limited with regard to the number of work-gripping units nor to the number of flexing stations, nor even to the. number of flexing members included in a group.

For convenience, the flexing stations are desig- 55 nated at A, B, C, D, E, and F in Fig. 5. Each of these stations is provided with a pair of cooperative flexing members l3 and I4 mortised into and secured to bell-crank levers I5 and I6. The members l3 and I4, as shown, are steel plates or bars having convex and polished work-engaging profiles. These bell-crank levers are arranged to oscillate on fixed fulcrum pins I1 that project horizontally from a frame I8 and are arranged six inside and six outside the circular path traversed by the work-gripping units. When the flexing members at stations A, C, and E occupy their operative positions those at B, D, and F are retracted from their operative positions and vice versa, to enable the work-gripping units to pass between the flexing members without fouling them.

The operating effect of each pair of flexing members is to form a simple bend or crook in the trailing portion of a work-piece such as a sole 20 without actually pinching the sole. Moreover, at stations A, C, and E the outer flexing members l3 are arranged to engage the work slightly ahead of the points engaged by the inner flexing members l4, as a result of which the trailing ends of the work-pieces will be deflected outwardly as shown in Fig. 1. On the other hand, at stations B, D, and F the inner flexing members l4 are arranged slightly ahead of the outer flexing members l3, as a. result of which the trailing ends of the work-pieces will be deflected inwardly as represented in Fig. 6. Consequently, as the work-pieces progress they are bent alternately in opposite directions, their inner surfaces being thereby stretched more than their outer surfaces at alternate flexing stations, and their outer surfaces being stretched more than their inner surfaces at the intermediate flexing stations.

Again, the angle of deflection or bending at stations A and B is preferably small to avoid cracking or checking the grain surface of the leather work-pieces, that at stations C and D being greater, and that at stations E and F being still greater. These graduated angles of deflection of the work at stations A, C, and E are represented in Fig. 1 but correspondingly graduated angles of deflection may be set up also at stations B, D, and F. Thus, instead of subjecting the work-pieces to the maximum angle of deflection at each of the stations the machine is capable of developing flexibility in the work-pieces a little at a time without bending them so much at any one stage as to overload the gripping jaws or crack the grain surface of the leather.

The mechanism for shifting the flexing members |3 and I4 to and from their operative positions comprises a set of interconnected links for each pair of flexing members, and a rotary power-driven cam having four high portions 2| and intermediate low portions. Oscillatory motion is imparted to the bell-crank levers l5 by links 22 and connecting pivots 23, and corresponding motion is imparted to the bell-crank levers l6 by links 24 and connecting pivots 25. The links 22 and 24 extend toward the central horizontal axis of the machine about which the operating cam rotates, and each pair of these links is connected by a pivot-pin 26 on which a camroll or follower 21 is rotatably arranged. The to-and-fro motions of the pivot-pins 26 are guided by links 28 arranged to swing on stationary pivot-pins 29 projecting from the frame I 8. The several cam-rolls 21' are maintained in contact with the cam 2| by tension springs 39, each attached at one end to an anchoring pin 3| and at the other end to a pin or arm 32 forming a part of a bell-crank lever IS. The anchoring pins 3| are aflixed to the frame l8. Since both flexing members of each pair are interconnected by links 22 and 24 and by a common connecting pin 26 they both partake of the force of the corresponding spring 30. The organization is such that the flexing members are retracted from their operative positions by the springs 38 and are shifted to their operative positions by the rises of the cam 2|.

Each of the links 22 and 24 preferably includes a turn-buckle 33 by which its eifective length may be regulated. This feature of construction provides for graduating the angles of deflection or bends of the work-pieces in accordance with the principle hereinbefore set forth, and it also provides for regulating the widths of the gaps through which the work-pieces are drawn while the flexing members occupy their operative positions. In practice, the turn-buckles will be adjusted to regulate these gaps to dimensions slightly greater than the thickness of the workpieces to avoid putting the work-pieces under compression.

Because of the relation of the supporting pivots I! at stations B, D, and F, ample clearance is provided for straight links 22 at these stations, but at stations A, C, and E where the supporting pivots ll stand in a different relation the links 22 are formed with offset portions to provide clearance.

The four work-gripping units are mounted on horizontal pivot-pins 35 ainxed to the carrier l2 and projected toward the frame Hi. The gripping jaws ll (see Fig. 3) are pinned or otherwise affixed to the supporting pins 35 so that they are rigidly related to the carrier. On the other hand, the jaws W are arranged to turn on the pins 35 so that they may be moved to grip and release a work-piece. Each jaw ID is provided with an operating arm 36 to which motion is communicated by a link or plunger comprising telescopically related sections a? and 38. The sections 31 are connected to the arms 36 by pivot-pins 39, and the sections 38 are provided with pivot-pins 40 on which the cam-rolls or followers 4| are freely rotatable. The pins 40 also connect the sections 38 with guiding links 42 arranged to swing about anchoring pins 43 carried by the carrier l2.

The rolls 4| are all arranged to roll on the periphery of a stationary cam 44 against which they are maintained by tension springs 45. Since each of the rolls 4| is diametrically opposite another roll on the same earn, it is convenient to utilize one spring 45 to serve two jaws In by attaching the ends of the spring to diametrically opposite pivot-pins 40. Each spring 45 is thus effective to retract two of the jaws from their companion jaws while the cam 44 is effective to impart gripping movement to the jaws ID. A concentric portion of the periphery of the cam 44 a little more than coextensive with the total range of all the flexing stations maintains the jaws IS in their gripping positions while they carry the work-pieces through that range, but the cam is provided with a low portion that enables the springs 45 to retract the jaws l9 while they are progressing from the last flexing station F to the first flexing station A. During this portion of their travel the jaws release and discharge a flexed work-piece and remain separated for a suflficient length of time to enable the operator to introduce an unflexed work-piece.

' upon the work-pieces.

The purpose of the' telescopic relation of the one by one with the left hand and transfer them sections 3i and 38 is to utilize'the resilient factor of compression springs 43 to counteract variety in the thickness of the work-pieces. Accordingly, the sleeve portions of the sections iii are provided with longitudinally extending slots 4?. to receive pins lii projecting fromthe shank portions of the sections 3?. These pin-and-slot connections are effective to retract the jaws it! as well as to provide for over-travel of the sections 38 after the jaws it have been arrested by the gripped work-pieces.

The jaws I6 and H are preferably provided with partially cylindrical rockers 58, each armed with a row of blunt teeth or gripping pads 59, the latter being the work-engaging members. These pads are partially embedded in the rockers but their work-engaging portions protrude far enough to insure that they will obtain a firm grip The pads are preferably made of friction material, such as partially vulcanized rubber, and are preferably reinforced with coiled woven fabric embedded therein, but if desired they maybe made of harder material, such as metal, with or without ribbed or knurled work-engaging surfaces. The rockers areseated in concave depressions or troughs formed in the jaws and are retained by headed screws 52 set up not so tightly as to prevent rocking movement of the rockers. The screws extend through flanged slots 53 in the jaws; This feature of construction provides for swiveling movement of the rockers relative to the jaws in response to demands of the work-pieces without impairing their grip on the work-pieces.

The carrier l2 and the cam M are united and form a rotary powepdriven unit that also includes a spur gear 55. 'As shown in Fig. 2 the hub 56 of the carrier is arranged to rotate on a horizontal spindle 57 projecting from and affixed to the frame 88. Both the cam 22! and the gear 55 are aflixed to the hub 56 as by keys. The frame i8 is provided with a bearing or bearings for a driving shaft 58 that may receive rotation from any suitable source, such as a motor or a belt (not shown). A pinion 59 carried by the shaft 58 cooperates with the gear 55 to drive the carrier l2 and the cam 2! in the direction indicated by an arrow in Fig. 5.

The flxed spindle 57 projects beyond the carrier l2 to provide a support for the non-rotary cam M about which the rolls 4! are carried. This cam is keyed and otherwise secured to the spindle and serves also to maintain the carrier it against axial movement while permitting rotation thereof.

In practice the illustrated machine will be mounted on a bench or other stand, and the operator may stand or sit near the loading station indicated at L in Fig, 1. A stack of soles or a box containing soles may be placed on a convenient support at the left of the operator. An inclined table may be formed on or attached to the frame it to provide a temporary rest for the left hand or forearm of the operator while that hand holds a sole in readiness to be transferred to the operators right hand. The table does not project between the operator and the path of the gripping jaws but is wholly at the operators left of that path to avoid obstruction of the space in front of the jaws at the later pass the loading station L.

Assuming that the machine is in operation and is tobe used to flex the shanks and the foreparts of soles, the operator will pick up the soles to the right hand with or without resting the left hand temporarily on the table 60. As each gripping unit passes the loading station (the jaws being separated) the operator will insert the heel end of the sole between the jaws, using the right hand for that purpose, the left hand being left free topick up another sole at the same time. The operator will maintain his grasp of the inserted sole and follow the progress of the jaws until'they grip the sole and take control there ing members into engagement with the shank portion of the sole. The sole is thus bent over the member !3 by the member I4 as illustrated in Fig. 1. The flexing members will remain in their operative positions through a period sufficient to flex the ball areas of the longest soles and the entire foreparts of the shortest soles.

Preferably, the grain surface of the soles will be faced toward the central axis of the machine,

to the end that the first flexing operation will stretch the grain surface rather than the flesh surface. At stations B, D, and F the sole is bent over the inner flexing members M by the outer flexing members 13 (see Fig. 6) the flesh surface being thereby stretched, but at stations C and E the effect is the same as at station A, though with successively greater angles of deflection, 7

While one sole is being drawn past the first flexing locality the operator may place another sole 'in'readiness to insert it into the next succeeding" pair of gripping jaws, and so on. Meanwhile, the flexing members at station B are retracted from their operative positions toenable the oncoming gripping jaws to pass the flexing locality of that station without obstruction, each succeeding pair of gripping jaws being retracted in like manner and restored to their operative positions by the high portions 2| of the rotary cam.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A flexing machine comprising cooperative flexing members arranged to act against opposite faces of a work-piece to crook the latter, mechanism by which said members are shifted periodically to and from their operative positions, means arranged to grip one end of a workpiece, and mechanism by which said gripping means are carried in a path intersecting the operating locality of said flexing members.

2. A flexing machine comprising cooperative flexing members arranged to act against opposite faces of a work-piece to crook the latter, means arranged to grip one end of a workpiece, mechanism by which said gripping means are carried in a path intersecting the operating locality of said flexing members, and mechanism arranged. to shift said flexing members to and from said operating locality to enable said gripping means to pass through the latter without fouling said members.

3. A flexing machine comprising cooperative flexing members arranged to crook a Work-piece, work-gripping means arranged to grip a margin of a work-piece and to draw the work-piece edgewise between said flexing members, mechanism by which said gripping means are carried in a path intersecting the operating locality of said flexing members, and mechanism by which said flexing members are shifted to and from said operating locality to enable said gripping means to pass through the latter without fouling said members.

4. A flexing machine comprising a series of groups of cooperative flexing members spaced to provide a series of flexing stations, work-gripping means arranged to grip a margin of a workpiece and to draw the work-piece edgewise, mechanism by which said gripping means are carried in a path intersecting each of said stations, and means by which said flexing members are shifted to and from their respective operating localities in timed relation to the progress of said gripping means to enable the latter to pass through said localities successively without fouling said members.

5. A flexing machine organized as defined in claim 4, in which the groups of flexing members are graduated to produce an angle of deflection of the work-pieces greater at one station than at a preceding station.

6.A flexing machine organized as defined in claim 4, in which the groups of flexing members are differently organized to set up at one station deflection of the work different in both kind and degree from that set up by the group at another station.

7. A flexing machine organized as defined in claim 3, in which automatic mechanism is arranged to disengage the gripping means from the flexed work-piece to discharge the latter.

a 8. A flexing machine organized as defined in claim 3, in which automatic mechanism is arranged to operate the gripping means while in transit with gripping effect and thereafter with releasing efiect.

9. A flexing machine organized as defined in claim 3, in which the gripping means are carried continuously through successive cycles in an endless path and are operated automatically while in transit to grip and release successive work-pieces.

10. A flexing machine comprising a series of work-gripping units, power-driven mechanism by which said units are carried one behind another along an endless path, said units being spaced one from another to draw individual work-pieces edgewise, a series of groups of flexing members arranged to operate at successive stations in said path to crook the trailing portions of the workpieces, and power-operated mechanism by which said flexing members are shifted to and from their respective operative positions to enable said units to pass through the flexing localities without fouling said flexing members.

11. A flexing machine comprising power-driven means including a rotary carrier, work-gripping means carried by said carrier, means for driving said carrier, cooperative flexing members arranged to crook the trailing portion of a workpiece drawn by said gripping means, and mechanism operated by rotation of said carrier to shift said flexing members to and from their respective operative positions to avoid their being fouled by said gripping means.

12. A flexing machine organized as defined in claim 11 and provided with means by which the gripping units are operated successively to release the flexed work-pieces at a common 10- cality.

13. A flexing machine organized as defined in claim 3, in which the flexing members are arranged to be shifted in opposite directions away from the path of the gripping means.

ERNEST L. FICKETT. 

